New Delhi: A boy dressed in a frock is the centre of attraction for all the wrong reasons. Nakshatra was one such little boy. And he did not like it. So he prayed, silently. He asked God to rectify the mistake he had made by abruptly turning him into a girl. “As I grew older, I started feeling more uncomfortable. By the time I reached high school, the discomfort I felt turned into aggression and self-doubt. So much so that I decided to end my life at 15,” he said.
But Nakshatra was meant to live. His brothers came to his rescue. Soon enough, he had his parents by his side.
“We need nothing but support and love,” says Nakshatra, an Associate at a multinational company. When asked about one of the memories where your gender identity had a positive impact, he further says,
I was the first trans man to join my company. Following my recruitment, the company embraced inclusivity, hiring an additional 20 transgender individuals. This milestone is etched into my core memories, a testament to progress and acceptance.
Also Read: Love Knows No Labels: Mothers Shine At Transgender Awards 2024
Nakshatra was bestowed with the Pathbreaker Award at the recent Transgender Awards 2024 for setting a benchmark in changing policies and making sure that the community’s voice is heard.
Among several others honoured during the event for their contributions to the upliftment of the community were Rachana Mudraboyina, Telangana’s inaugural Transgender Welfare Board Member, along with esteemed transgender activists Gauri Sawant and Laxmi Narayan Tripathi.
Reflecting on a defining memory , where her gender identity made a significant impact, Rachana shares,
I am a trans health expert employed at India’s first transgender clinic. I have been advocating and fighting for the legal rights of my community for a very long time. My efforts seem to have paid off! A Transgender Welfare Board has been established back in my state in Telangana.
Gauri Sawant recalled the moment when the transgender community was legally identified in 2014 with the NALSA judgement,
A petition was filed in the Supreme Court . I was one of the petitioners. That is the memory I will never forget! Because of this petition, we came to be recognised as the third gender. This is justice!
Also Read: Employing Inclusivity: Corporate Doors Open For Transgender Community At Employment Mela
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which in its Season 10 is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In a world post COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental well-being, self-care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
